Bishop calls receiving Communion on the tongue more reverent

[Holly3278]

“It is not a question of ritualism, but a question of faith and love for Our Lord, Jesus Christ."

CNA STAFF, Mar 5, 2008 / 06:21 am (CNA).- Bishop Athanasius Schneider, Auxiliary Bishop of Kazakhstan, in a new interview has expanded his advocacy of reverence at Mass and receiving Holy Communion on the tongue.

The Vatican Editing House recently released Bishop Schneider’s book “Dominus Est: Meditations of a Bishop from Central Asia on the Sacred Eucharist.” The book contains a foreword by Archbishop Albert Malcolm Ranjith, the Vatican’s Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and Sacraments.

**I edited a few things in the above quote for grammatical and spelling errors that are in the original article.

**catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=11981

I totally agree with the Bishop. That said, I do not personally receive on the tongue but I wish to start doing so out of reverence for our Lord in the form of the most holy Eucharist.

I have, however, received the Lord Jesus on my tongue once before and found it to be a pleasant experience. I was just maybe a little self-conscious about it for fear (probably unreasonable) about bad breath or how to stick my tongue out and that sort of thing. We was not taught (according to my memory) of how to receive the Eucharist on our tongues in RCIA.

 

[puzzleannie]

IMO, and this is the last time I will comment on this overworked topic, is that until we restore communion rails, kneeling for communion, proper vessels, ordained ministers ONLY communicating, preferably by intinction, reception on the tongue is impractical and ill-advisible in most American parishes at this time.

the EMHCs are not properly trained, the people are not properly prepared, and it is nearly impossible when both are standing for minister to communicate on the tongue for at least half the people, especially children. in modern churches, including our diocese’s 2 largest, with stadium seating and slanted floor, it is virtually impossible for the minister and the communicant to be standing properly in relation to each other for this method to work.

 

[Freshman88]

IMO, and this is the last time I will comment on this overworked topic, is that until we restore communion rails, kneeling for communion, proper vessels, ordained ministers ONLY communicating, preferably by intinction, reception on the tongue is impractical and ill-advisible in most American parishes at this time.

the EMHCs are not properly trained, the people are not properly prepared, and it is nearly impossible when both are standing for minister to communicate on the tongue for at least half the people, especially children. in modern churches, including our diocese’s 2 largest, with stadium seating and slanted floor, it is virtually impossible for the minister and the communicant to be standing properly in relation to each other for this method to work.

I don’t understand why all this preparation would be needed.
I’m a big guy, in fact, I’m very big, just under 6’7 - I have gone to EMHCs who are little blue haired grandma’s that might be 4’10. All I have to do is bend down a little and stick out my tongue - and it works every time. There usually is this awkard second where the EMHC is trying to figure out whats happening, but I’ll admit, they are pretty quick and they can figure out what to do.

 

[puzzleannie]

we travel all over in the summer, 90% of EMHCs do not have a clue how to communicate on the tongue and the results range from laughable to irreverent.

 

[Freshman88]

we travel all over in the summer, 90% of EMHCs do not have a clue how to communicate on the tongue and the results range from laughable to irreverent.

I travel too, I don’t really understand how that could be. I bend over, stick out my tongue, I pause, the Eucharist is placed on my tongue.

All that needs to be done for perparation is have the Priest tell his EMHC’s that… “EMHC, if a parioshner sticks out his tongue, place the Eucharist upon his tongue”.

There really isn’t much to it.

 

[Walking_Home]

we travel all over in the summer, 90% of EMHCs do not have a clue how to communicate on the tongue and the results range from laughable to irreverent.

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That would just require better training of the EMHCs. If the EMHCs I have received from on the tongue — can perform the service with reverence — there is no reason the rest could not do the same. From what you say – the training of EMHCs in some areas is faulty.

 

[Freshman88]

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That would just require better training of the EMHCs. If the EMHCs I have received from on the tongue — can perform the service with reverence — there is no reason the rest could not do the same. From what you say – the training of EMHCs in some areas is faulty.

What’s with all this training, just send around a memo throughout the diocese telling priests to remind their EMHC’s that some Catholics like to have the Eucharist on their tongue, if you come across such a Catholic place it on his tongue.

All you have to do is approach the EMHC and say one setence, maybe two.
When I hear training, I think of hours of studying, grooling hours in the gym and on the track - that’s training. What this is, is not training its more of a friendly exchange perhaps a demo with one hand movement.

All in all the interaction could take 10 seconds, maybe 20 if they have a question.

Heck - teaching someone the sign of the cross might be more difficult.

 

[Walking_Home]

What’s with all this training, just send around a memo throughout the diocese telling priests to remind their EMHC’s that some Catholics like to have the Eucharist on their tongue, if you come across such a Catholic place it on his tongue.

All you have to do is approach the EMHC and say one setence, maybe two.
When I hear training, I think of hours of studying, grooling hours in the gym and on the track - that’s training. What this is, is not training its more of a friendly exchange perhaps a demo with one hand movement.

All in all the interaction could take 10 seconds, maybe 20 if they have a question.

Heck - teaching someone the sign of the cross might be more difficult.

---

When I said training – it is in practicing placing the Host on the tongue. Knowing how to place the Host in manner which is reverent --and limits the possibility of the Host falling and shoving the EMHC’s fingers in the persons mouth.

 

[GregoryPalamas]

IMO, and this is the last time I will comment on this overworked topic, is that until we restore communion rails, kneeling for communion, proper vessels, ordained ministers ONLY communicating, preferably by intinction, reception on the tongue is impractical and ill-advisible in most American parishes at this time.

the EMHCs are not properly trained, the people are not properly prepared, and it is nearly impossible when both are standing for minister to communicate on the tongue for at least half the people, especially children. in modern churches, including our diocese’s 2 largest, with stadium seating and slanted floor, it is virtually impossible for the minister and the communicant to be standing properly in relation to each other for this method to work.

I plan never to receive from an EMHC. So far, so good.

CDL

 

[wow]

I will do as the Church decides on this one as with anything else.

It just amazes me that lay people are obessed with how another person shows reverence to our Lord when receiving communion. I do not have the ability to see what is in other people’s heart during communion and to be quite honest I am not paying them attention as my focus is on the body and the blood.

To me there are a couple of reasons I prefer the hand, one of which is the fact I wear dentures and it makes me nervous to think a “slip” could create an accident. The other is the split second(s) of adoration I have picking it up from my palm and placing it in my own mouth.

 

[MrS]

I will do as the Church decides on this one as with anything else.

It just amazes me that lay people are obessed with how another person shows reverence to our Lord when receiving communion. I do not have the ability to see what is in other people’s heart during communion and to be quite honest I am not paying them attention as my focus is on the body and the blood.

To me there are a couple of reasons I prefer the hand, one of which is the fact I wear dentures and it makes me nervous to think a “slip” could create an accident. The other is the split second(s) of adoration I have picking it up from my palm and placing it in my own mouth.

I know what you mean. For me, it is the split second when I hear the priest remind me of what he offers, as he (in persona Christi) places the Lord on my tongue.

I guess I just could never, and can never, communicate myself.

 

[Joannm]

I know what you mean. For me, it is the split second when I hear the priest remind me of what he offers, as he (in persona Christi) places the Lord on my tongue.

I guess I just could never, and can never, communicate myself.

You are not communicating yourself when you receive in the hand. The priest or minister gives you the host and you receive it. Self communication would be if you took it out of the ciborium yourself.

 

[planter654]

IMO, and this is the last time I will comment on this overworked topic, is that until we restore communion rails, kneeling for communion, proper vessels, ordained ministers ONLY communicating, preferably by intinction, reception on the tongue is impractical and ill-advisible in most American parishes at this time.

the EMHCs are not properly trained, the people are not properly prepared, and it is nearly impossible when both are standing for minister to communicate on the tongue for at least half the people, especially children. in modern churches, including our diocese’s 2 largest, with stadium seating and slanted floor, it is virtually impossible for the minister and the communicant to be standing properly in relation to each other for this method to work.

Excuse me but through out half of my life I received communion on the tongue and knelt to do so. I was a young child and received Holy communion on the tongue and had no, no problem. How many generations has it been done this way until it was changed and why? Slanted floors please! What church are you in? Impossible for the minister and the communicant to be standing properly what a silly, silly answer and poor excuse to be given.

Jesus knelt on the ground outside to pray and I am sure it was alot harder on the knees and more slanded, don’t you think?

Why not stop kneeling all together in all the churchs because of the slanded floors.

Sorry not judging but… really!

God Bless

 

[planter654]

Also the EMHC are not properly trained please to put the Holy Host on someones tongue? How much training would they need 10 weeks a year please!

God Bless

 

[planter654]

---

When I said training – it is in practicing placing the Host on the tongue. Knowing how to place the Host in manner which is reverent --and limits the possibility of the Host falling and shoving the EMHC’s fingers in the persons mouth.

I received the Host on my tongue through half of my young life and kneeling to do so! Never have I heard such silly excuses. I am sure there were times that could be counted on one hand maybe two through those generations, but please!

Please, please such silly excuses! In a manner most reverent in placing the host. What about when they place it in there hands what is the most reverent place in the hand? We all hold our hands differrently is there a magic spot or line on the hand. Limits the possibility of the Host falling or shoving the EMHC’s finger in the persons mouth please! What about the elderly who’s hands are shaky or sometimes can barely see or feel it in their hands, we could go on and on. Or the young who could run off with the Host not putting it in their mouth…please! These are silly excuses.

God Bless I thank God, he is the same today as yesterday and never changes!

 

[Ceil-1]

I’d feel a lot better if they would at least hold patens under us. Then, they would not be so awkward and timid about it. This is what causes all the problems. I hate sticking my tongue out like a lizard, just because they are afraid. This issue causes me no end of dilemma. I am darned if I do, and darned if I don’t.

 

[Freshman88]

It just amazes me that lay people are obessed with how another person shows reverence to our Lord when receiving communion. I do not have the ability to see what is in other people’s heart during communion and to be quite honest I am not paying them attention as my focus is on the body and the blood.

I don’t think it’s amazing at all in fact I think it’s quite a natural reaction to be offended by irreverent handling of the Host.

We may not have the ability to see what’s in their hearts, but we do have the ability to ensure that Christ is at least given the respect he deserves with outward signs. It is a fact of faith that our faith grows the more devout we are and the more we pray - ensuring that handling the Eucharist is properly done is just one way that devotion can be increased.

 

[chrisb]

Grace and Peace,

I attend a very large ‘modern’ Parish in our diocese and I tend to avoid EMHC’s although ‘many’ are used every Sunday. I received on the tongue by either the Deacon or our Parish Priest ‘most’ of the time. Every once in a while I receive in the hands by an EMHC. Ultimately I don’t have a big problem with it but I humbly prefer to receive on the tongue by either the Deacon or our Parish Priest. I agree with the Bishop whom calls receiving Communion on the tongue is more reverent by I don’t believe it is wrong to receive in the hand and in fact such can be done with great reverence and dignity. I’ve seen it done so and done so myself.

Peace and God Bless.

 

[thistle]

I receive on the tongue. My daughter receives on the hand. Both are allowed by the Church. The Church has not said one is more reverent than the other. People should be humble and obey the Church and stop trying to impose their own idea of reverence on others.

 

[planter654]

Then why is there this topic? If you read over your comments did you not add or voice your oppinion?

God Bless